Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes to be reunited in television series

Don’t look now but after 45 years pursuing their separate paths, top actresses Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes are appearing together again in a television series.
Susan and Amalia will be seen together in the ABS-CBn series “Muling Buksan ang Puso.” which will start soon, according to showbiz editor Ricky Lo in his latest column in Philippine Star.
According to the columnist, Susan and Amalia’s last appearance together was 45 years ago in a movie which starred them outside of their mother studio, Sampaguita Pictures entitled “Cover Girls.”
And do you know who produced that movie? It was no less than Movie King Fernando Poe Jr. and his first movie outfit, Jafere Productions.
Actors Bob Soler and Tito Gala, now both deceased, were the leading men of the top and most glamorous actresses of their times in that movie.
According to Ricky Lo, Susan and Amalia have gone through life in a way that they never perhaps experienced in any of their movies, but they have emerged triumphant, beautiful survivors, and grown (and how!) in more ways than one.
Susan and Amalia occupy special spots in their fans’ hearts, that’s why leading network ABS-CBN decided to reunite them in a series, “Muling Buksan ang Puso.”
Although Susan and Amalia are very good friends and “kumares” in real life, they will play protagonists in the ABS-CBN series, with Amalia as the “kontrabida,” wrote Ricky Lo.
The series will be part of the Kapamilya Network’s 60th-anniversary celebration offering with Manny Palo and Nuel Crisostomo as directors and Julia Montes, Enrique Gil and Dante Rivero as co-stars. Dante will also play the man between Susan and Amalia.
Ricky Lo shared Celso de Guzman Caparas’ write-up on Susan and Amalia to celebrate Susan and Amalia’s long-delayed onscreen reunion.
According to Caparas, Susan and Amalia are both mestiza. Susan was born Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora on July 28, 1941, to a Spanish-Chinese mother and a French Jewish father. Amalia was born Amalia Amador Muhlach on August 27, 1940, to a Spanish-German father and a Chinese mestiza mother
Under Sampaguita and Vera-Perez Pictures, Susan guested in Amalia starrers Rodora and Movie Fan (1956) and Pretty Boy (1957). Then, they were topbilled in Madaling Araw, Mga Reyna ng Vicks, Tawag ng Tanghalan and Ulilang Anghel (1958); Pitong Pagsisisi, Kahapon Lamang, Ipinagbili Ko Ang Aking Anak and Wedding Bells (1959); Siete Amores, Sa Hardin ng Diyos and Amy, Susie & Tessie (1960); Sa Linggo Ang Bola and Joey, Eddie & Lito (1961); The Big Broadcast and Tulisan (1962); and Amaliang Mali-Mali at Susanang Daldal  (1963).  
Both were nominated by FAMAS: In 1967, Susan for Maruja and Amalia for O, Pagsintang Labis!; in 1972, Susan for Bilangguang Puso and Amalia for Babae…Ikaw Ang Dahilan; in 1973, Susan for Hanggang sa Kabila ng Daigdig and Amalia for Pag-ibig Mo, Buhay Ko; and in 1974, Susan for Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara and Amalia for Isang Gabi…Tatlong Babae.
Amalia won FAMAS Best Actress for Ibulong Mo Sa Hangin (1966) while Susan won twice for Maligno (1977) and Gumising Ka, Maruja (1978).
Susan and Amalia were among the bridesmaids (with Daisy Romualdez and Barbara Perez) at the wedding of Gloria Romero and Juancho Gutierrez on Sept. 24, 1960.
Amalia went freelance in 1963 and Susan in 1965.
Both became film producers. Amalia put up her own film outfit, AM Productions with Ibulong Mo Sa Hangin (starring herself and Romeo Vasquez) as its maiden offering, shown on Aug. 26, 1966, at Galaxy Theater. Susan put up her Rosas Productions with Kulay Rosas Ang Pag-ibig (starring herself and Ramil Rodriguez) as its initial offering, shown on May 29, 1968, at Ever Theater. 
Amalia and Susan were among the first celebrity endorsers of Coke in the ‘50s.
Amalia was the first Filipina Lux Girl in 1964 and in 1967; Susan joined the list of other celebrity Lux Girls.
Amalia married Romeo Vasquez in 1965 and Susan wed Fernando Poe Jr. on Dec. 25, 1968. Both have a daughter, Amalia’s is Liezl Sumilang-Martinez and Susan’s is senatoriable Grace Poe-Llamanzares. Like their moms, the daughters are good friends. When Grace was MTRCB chief, Liezl was (and still is) among the members, shared Caparas and respected columnist Ricky Lo.